“We’ve been through it before and it definitely helps having gone through it last year,” Barket said after Wednesday’s practice. “The first couple of days we were like ‘Man this sucks,’ but now it’s like 'whatever.'"

Power outages aren’t commonplace around campus, but Lehigh and much of the Lehigh Valley experienced issues last year when a snowstorm hit around this time.

“Experience never hurts,” junior wideout Lee Kurfis said. “It makes me wonder what’s going to be next year. An earthquake? It’s definitely hard to maintain focus because a lot of guys are worried about where they’re going to get their next meal or where they can sleep. Our coaches were on us and kept us ready to go.

“We’ve gotten some good practices in, and we’ll be ready to go Saturday.”

Sixth-ranked Lehigh (8-0 overall, 2-0 league), coming off a bye week, practiced this morning on campus before departing for Boston. The Mountain Hawks will practice at Boston College on Friday before Saturday’s contest against the Crusaders (1-7, 1-2) at Fitton Field in Worcester, Mass.

“The kids are a lot more resilient than people give them credit for,” Lehigh coach Andy Coen said. “The biggest thing (this week) was making sure they can find a place to get a hot shower and something to eat.”

Kurfis, who leads the team with 537 yards and four touchdowns on 41 catches, had to take up shelter elsewhere because there was no power at his Chi Psi Fraternity house. Kurfis and some friends went to a local hotel, but that was without power as well.

“I lived in a powerless hotel room (Tuesday) night,” he said with a laugh.

Having not played a football game since Oct. 20 — a 42-19 home win over Bucknell — and being displaced by Sandy, Kurfis can’t wait to get back on the football field on Saturday.

“There’s been a lot of variability the past couple of days and every time we got on the football field, it feels normal,” Kurfis said.

The bye week came at a pivotal time, according to Coen. It gave every player a chance to get off his feet and for some a chance to get back on the field. All-American senior receiver Ryan Spadola, who missed the last two games with mononucleosis, began practicing again with the team on Sunday. His status for Saturday is still to be determined.

Senior offensive lineman Mike Vuono had fluid drained from his knee while others nursed bruises and other injuries.

“Having it (bye) earlier in the year the past couple seasons wasn’t really advantageous to us but having it late this year really pays off in the end,” Barket said.

Not every player was able to get back to 100 percent for the Crusaders. Senior linebacker Sam Loughery (stinger) and senior tight end Jamel Haggins (knee) are both still out.

Coen is confident his team can remain focused despite going through the week's inconveniences, especially since there hasn’t been classes or tests this week.

“You do get your batteries recharged, but it seems like a month since we’ve played a football game,” Coen said. “These kids should be focused. They shouldn’t have anything to do now except beat Holy Cross.”